World Day of Social Justice 2025; February 20th.

FORUM: "Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future." World Day of Social Justice 2025. The observance of the day help remind us of the need to build a fairer and more equitable world and to urge all efforts to combat unemployment, social exclusion, and poverty. Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future means making sure our move toward low-carbon economies benefits everyone, especially the most vulnerable. It requires a holistic approach that weaves environmental sustainability with social justice, ensuring that workers, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities receive the support they need—through retraining, job creation, and strong social protection measures. In other words, decarbonization and economic transformation should go hand in hand with policies that fight poverty, reduce inequality, and open up opportunities for all. At the heart of this vision is the idea of integrating “just transition” principles into both global and national policies. When these principles are built into sustainable development agendas—such as those discussed at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2)—policymakers can create a fairer environment where the costs of change are shared equitably. For example, targeted green skills training, comprehensive social protection, and community-led economic diversification can help ensure that the decline of fossil fuel industries doesn’t lead to long-term unemployment or increased social inequality. Instead, these measures redirect investments into emerging green sectors, building a resilient workforce and a more equitable society. Ultimately, strengthening a just transition is about re-imagining our economic and environmental systems to prioritize people as much as the planet. It’s a call to shift the focus from simply decarbonizing to also redistributing opportunities and resources so that sustainable growth benefits everyone. Through collective action and inclusive policies, we can create a future where environmental integrity and social equity go hand in hand, forming the foundation of a truly sustainable global economy. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #20February, #SocialJusticeDay.

EVENTS: At UNHQ New York; On February 20th, from 01:15 PM. -02:30 PM. (EST); Conference Room 6; The 2025 World Day of Social Justice, convened by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), will focus on “Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future.” This year's event takes on special significance as the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2). As the global community faces unprecedented challenges from climate change, economic transitions, and social inequalities, the event will explore how inclusive policies can ensure that climate action leads to more and better jobs, reduces inequalities, and fosters sustainable development. Key topics for panel discussions include:

• The role of macroeconomic policies and trade frameworks in ensuring inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and social justice.
• Strategies for an equitable transition to a low-carbon, job-rich economy, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, critical minerals, and green infrastructure.
• Innovative financing mechanisms to support low-income and climate-vulnerable countries in transitioning to sustainable economies.
• The importance of social protection systems, education, and skills development in preparing workers for the emerging green economy.

The event will also emphasize multi-stakeholder collaboration, leveraging the Global Coalition for Social Justice to align the efforts of governments, businesses, trade unions, and civil society. Join the conversation on 20 February 2025 to explore actionable solutions that advance social justice and build a sustainable future for all. Read the Concept Note | Flyer and Register here

On February 20th, On the occasion; The ILO will mark World Day of Social Justice 2025 with a series of five events held in major cities around the globe. The events will bring together high-level speakers from across the world of work to discuss how to put social justice at the centre of international, national and regional policy agendas. The International Labour Organization (ILO) brings together leading figures from academia, politics and the world of work with the ILO Director-General to discuss how to advance social justice in the world. The conference will be held by the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

From From 05:00 - 06:00 (GMT-5), a panel discussion entitled “Achieving universal social health protection for social justice in Asia and the Pacific.” will be held. Join ILO Regional Office for Asia Pacific, Director, representatives of academics, members of the Mahidol University, Bangkok, and experts in the field of Social Protection as they discuss how to reinforce commitment to universal social health protection through inclusive policies and to strengthen knowledge-sharing for advancing social health protection. Watch the live event!

From: 07:00 to 08:00 (GMT-5), a panel discussion entitled “Social justice in the digital era: AI's impact on the labour market.’’ will be held. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the ILO Regional office for Europe, is hosting a high-level discussion featuring ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, EESC President Oliver Röpke, Ministers of Labour from various EU member countries and partners of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, and senior representatives from EU institutions, European social partners, academia, and civil society. The event will explore how Artificial Intelligence is set to transform the world of work, focusing on opportunities to harness AI to promote decent work, foster inclusive labour markets, and advance gender equality. Watch the live event!

From 09:00 - 10:00 (GMT-5), a panel discussion entitled “Decent work in Africa: A key component of Social Justice.’’. To mark the day, the Regional Office for Africa is hosting a high-level panel discussion on how to advance social justice through decent work in Africa. The event will highlight the impact of ILO projects on improving lives and fostering greater social justice. The panel will feature representatives from the government, the ILO Regional Director for Africa, a young entrepreneur, a cultural sector representative, and a partner from the Global Coalition. Watch the live event!

From 11:00 - 12:00 (GMT-5), a panel discussion entitled “Social justice in the field of work: A new social contract for Latin America.’’. Join the ILO Regional of for Latin America and the Caribbean, the co-authors of the book Justicia Social y Trabajo: desde la perspectiva de América Latina y el Caribe, and a representative from the European Union in Peru for an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities of advancing social justice in the region through the framework of a new social contract. Watch the live event!

From 13:30 - 14:30 (GMT-5), a panel discussion entitled “Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future.’’ Join key representatives from the United Nations in New York, Member States, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), along with the Special Advisor on Climate Action and Just Transition (TBC) and the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (TBC), for an engaging discussion on driving sustainable climate action through a Just Transition. The session will also highlight opportunities to build a socially inclusive and empowered low-carbon economy. Watch the live event!

Get the agenda Programme and Watch the Commemorative Event.

INITIATIVES: "Bridging Gaps and Building Alliances". A ground-breaking initiative will be launched to help intensifying collective efforts to urgently address social justice deficits and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Decent Work Agenda. In support of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.

Conferences and summits: This includes the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the Summit of the Future, as well as preparations for the World Social Summit.

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Day of Social Justice 2025; February 20th and the Statement of the ILO Director General on World Day of Social 

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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2014, October 17.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October. 

Международный день борьбы за ликвидацию нищеты,17 октября.

消除贫穷国际日,10月17日.

Día Internacional para la Erradicación de la Pobreza, 17 de octubre.

Journée internationale pour l'élimination de la pauvreté, 17 octobre.

 اليوم الدولي للقضاء على الفقر، 17 أكتوبر،

2014 Theme: Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty.

Тема Дня 2014 года: Не оставляя никого позади: думать, решать и действовать сообща против крайней нищеты.

2014年的主题：不丢下一个人：共同思考，共同决定，共同行动，对抗极端贫穷.

Tema de 2014: «No dejar a nadie atrás: pensar, decidir y actuar juntos contra la pobreza extrema»

Thème 2014 :« N'oublions personne : Réfléchissons, décidons et agissons ensemble contre l’extrême pauvreté »

 موضوع عام 2014 — لا تتخلوا عن أحد: فكروا وقرروا واعملوا معا للقضاء على الفقر المدقع

 United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2014.

On this day we recommit to think, decide and act together against extreme poverty -- and plan for a world where no-one is left behind.

We have reached the Millennium Development Goal target of halving the proportion of people living in poverty ahead of time. At least 700 million people were lifted out of extreme poverty between 1990 and 2010.

Despite this enormous success, one in every five persons in developing regions -- 1.22 billion people -- live on less than $1.25 a day, and 2.4 billion live on less than $2 a day.  Since the beginning of the financial crisis, inequality has grown even more pronounced than it was already.  Discrimination against women and girls remains a blatant injustice, robbing the entire development enterprise of one of the keys to progress.

 Entrenched poverty and prejudice, and vast gulfs between wealth and destitution, can undermine the fabric of societies and lead to instability. Where poverty holds sway, people are held back.  Lives disfigured by poverty are cruel, mean and, often, short.

As we prepare the post-2015 sustainable development agenda and address the threat of climate change, we must not lose sight of our most fundamental obligation: to eliminate poverty in all its forms.  We must also end the marginalization of people living in poverty.  Their knowledge and perspectives are vital if we are to find meaningful, durable solutions.

I urge Member States and all partners to act decisively together to eradicate poverty and build a sustainable, peaceful, prosperous and equitable future for all.  Our aim must be prosperity for all, not just a few.

                                                                                                                                   Ban Ki-moon



The 2014 Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) will be held on Friday, 17 October at United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on the theme - "Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty". 

 This year's event is organized in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the United Nations.

 The 2014 theme recognises and underscores the demanding challenge of identifying and securing the participation of those experiencing extreme poverty and social exclusion in the “Post-2015 Development Agenda” that will replace the Millennium Development Goals.

The call to “Leave no one behind” points to the urgent need to eliminate discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion based on poverty, ethnic origin, gender, age, disability or economic and social status. It will require concerted action to actively reach out to the most impoverished and excluded groups in our societies. At the core of such action must be the alignment of development policies and targets, and their implementation, with human rights norms and standards, in keeping with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights .

 The call “To think, decide and act together against extreme poverty” highlights the need to include people living in poverty as partners in building our understanding and knowledge of more sustainable forms of development. Local, national and international institutions must create genuine participatory mechanisms, with accountability and grievance mechanisms at all levels, while working as partners with communities to strengthen their own support organisations.

 In particular, this call requires that we promote and support an economy that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable. That is, an economy that protects the environment, fosters the creation of full employment and decent work opportunities for all, and ensures high quality education and healthcare with improved results for all, including people living in extreme poverty.

 Ultimately, the success of the “Post-2015 Development Agenda” will depend on the full and meaningful participation of all people, actively supported by increased commitments at the political, economic, social and cultural levels in all countries.

 In addition to the Commemoration in New York, celebrations of this International Day are being organized worldwide. Through resolution A/RES/47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the General Assembly invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution.

Also in commemoration of the international day, a ten-part exhibition of collective artwork by people living in poverty will be featured at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Each collection shows how the human act of creation—whether by rousing strength and hope, or bestowing a peaceful calm–helps people to hold their heads high, to come together in dignity, and to leave no one behind. The exhibition, entitled "Leave No One Behind", will be held from 13 to 17 October in the 1B Corridor to the Vienna Cafe.

 The International Charter for October 17 (English / French) provides guiding principles for the organization of commemorations to mark the International Day.

Events : 
Provisional programme for the Commemoration of the IDEP 2014
IDEP 2014  Provisional Programme 

IDEP 2014 Concept Note 

 

Campaign Materials : 
IDEP Brochure 
IDEP 2014 Poster 
IDEP 2014 Postcard 

 Forum : International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17 October.

 Help the United Nations to raise awareness about the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against poverty.

Use #EndPoverty to post your messages about the Millennium Development Goals and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. For more information or message ideas, follow mcampaign on Facebook and Twitter.

 Related Information and Organization : 

•  International Movement ATD Fourth World
• International Committee for October 17
•  Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty 
• United Nations Department of Public Information